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Lumifer comments on How to fix academia? - Less Wrong Discussion

9 Post author: passive_fist 20 August 2015 12:50AM

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Comment author: Lumifer 20 August 2015 04:35:27PM 2 points [-]

Create incentives to catch misconduct seems the simplest solution

That effectiveness of this solution depends, in particular on what other incentives are there.

Imagine a poor crime-ridden neighbourhood where police put up "Rat on your neighbours -- we pay for tips!" posters. That's "incentives to catch misconduct", but even if you collect the tip you still have to live in the neighbourhood and I expect that being a known snitch carries a heavy price.

Comment author: OrphanWilde 20 August 2015 06:14:47PM 1 point [-]

Do you think objectivity and willingness to challenge ideas in science is regarded by those within the fields in such a manner?

I mean, it wouldn't surprise me, but if it's gotten that far, I think the problem may have gotten beyond a simple remedy.

Comment author: Lumifer 20 August 2015 06:29:58PM 3 points [-]

...is regarded by those within the fields in such a manner?

By some, certainly. I expect the prevalence to vary depending on the field. In, say, physics, not so much, but in things like gender studies, close to 100%.

problem may have gotten beyond a simple remedy

Duh... X-/

Comment author: welp 20 August 2015 06:07:16PM 0 points [-]

but even if you collect the tip you still have to live in the neighbourhood and I expect that being a known snitch carries a heavy price.

I don't see how this point carries over to the problem at hand.... what's the heavy price for the scientist snitch?

Comment author: Lumifer 20 August 2015 06:10:49PM *  3 points [-]

For example, you won't be invited as a co-author for papers. People will exclude your from research groups. Reviewers will be nasty to your submissions.

Comment author: VoiceOfRa 21 August 2015 01:39:17AM 0 points [-]

Imagine a poor crime-ridden neighbourhood where police put up "Rat on your neighbours -- we pay for tips!" posters.

The bigger problem with that, is that the police will be flooded with false tips.